Top 6 Things to Do in Manchester

Manchester is a buzzing place, one of the UK’s hotspots for growth outside of London. Located in the north-west, Manchester has everything, from an international airport to theatres, shops, parks and museums. It is a popular place to come for a weekend, or even just a day. Because of its size and the diversity of its attractions, Manchester is the place to come whatever your age, highlighted by a recent report that revealed that Manchester is set to outperform Berlin, Tokyo and Paris when it comes tojobs growth over the next 5 years.

This growth has transformed the city into a great place to visit. It is easy to reach by car or public transport, so if you are planning a trip there, here are the top six things to see and do in Manchester.

The Manchester Museum

The Manchester Museum has a vast range of natural history and earth science exhibits, ranging from Egyptian mummies to a giant Japanese crab. Kids will love the huge T-rex fossil reproduction, known as “Stan”. Make sure you visit the vivarium, where you can get up close and personal with all manner of reptiles, and check out the creepy Egyptian statue that turns in slow motion.

The John Ryland Library

The Victorian Gothic architecture of the John Rylands Library is absolutely stunning and the library is a must-see attraction for history buffs. Set foot inside the library and it feels as if you have stumbled on to a set from Harry Potter. The library contains a vast book collection almost too large to comprehend, but part of the charm of the place is the intricate design of the architecture inside the building.

National Football Museum

Manchester has a strong football heritage, and with two world famous teams based in the city, fans of the beautiful game should pay a visit to the National Football Museum. Housed inside the former URBIS museum, the National Football Museum contains numerous collections of football memorabilia, including the FIFA collection and the FA collection.

The Whitworth Gallery

The Whitworth Gallery has been recently refurbished and is now an impressive, world-class exhibition space for modern art. The gallery should be viewed alongside the Manchester Art Gallery, for a taste of contemporary art exhibited in beautiful surroundings. The exhibition space inside the gallery extends into Whitworth Park, which puts it at one with nature and the local environment.

The Museum of Science and Industry

Manchester was at the heart of the industrial revolution, in particular the textiles industry, so a trip to the city would not be complete without a visit to theMuseum of Science and Industry. The museum is deservedly one of the city’s top attractions. It’s located right in the heart of the city and there are lots of fun interactive exhibits for people of all ages.

The Royal Exchange Theatre

There are several theatres in Manchester, but theRoyal Exchange Theatre is arguably the best. The venue hosts a wide range of different shows, from pop concerts to contemporary theatrical productions. Some of the shows include a world premiere of The Night Watch and the award-winning Broadway musical Into The Woods. The views are great whatever seat you buy and the restaurant is wonderful if you enjoy good food.

There is plenty of Manchester parking if you choose to visit bring the car; alternatively hop on a train and step off at Manchester Piccadilly railway station in the city centre.